Texas DPS May Transition from Chargers to Explorers

Texas Agency May Follow Suit of Many Law Enforcement Bodies

When the Ford Crown Victoria–based Police Interceptor was discontinued in 2011, many predicted its virtual monopoly on law enforcement vehicles would end and departments would rush to Dodge or Chevy for their fullsize rear-wheel-drive sedans. Instead, Ford has not only retained, but strengthened, its grip on the law enforcement market with the unexpected popularity of the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility. The latest agency rumored to be on the verge of making the switch is the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mopar enthusiast site Allpar reports that the statewide law enforcement agency may switch back to Ford to simplify and standardize fleet logistics.

The Texas DPS already has some Interceptor Utility models in its fleet, however the majority of its fleet is currently comprised of the Dodge Charger. Vehicles are typically kept in the fleet for four to five years, so the wholesale switch to the Ford would be gradual.

With the new Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan falling just shy of the old Crown Vic’s payload capacity and gross vehicle weight, many departments turned to the Utility model for its greater payload and cargo capacity. Available with up to a 365hp 3.5L EcoBoost V-6, there have been few complaints about power and acceleration. The Interceptor Utility has also received the thumbs-up from the two major benchmark-testing agencies in the U.S.: the Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.